About Journal Ratings

All ratings are based on judges scores that go through a three step average to insure consistency and fairness across tastings. The first step is a straight average. The second step is a standard deviation calculation. The third step is a removal of scores that do not fall within the calculated deviation and a re-average.

The scores are then analyzed and tracked. The type of data we track are the following:

Wine Score (20-points and 100-points)

Category Average

Single Wine Deviation: A measure of panel consensus for a single wine

Average Deviation Across Category: The average deviation between a single wine and the category average – An average calculation across each wine’s individual deviation

Panel Consensus: Represents how well the panel tastes as a judging body – A deviation calculation of category averages across all judges

Typicity Across Category: A Measure of typicity (consistency in style) – A deviation calculation across all averaged wine scores

Appellation Tracking: Breakdown of Texas AVAs

Vineyard Tracking

Texas vs. The World: A separate category that places the top rated Texas wine from a given category in a blind tasting of world wines

95-100– Extraordinary. Superior character and style.90-94— Excellent. Noteworthy character and highly recommended.85-89— Very good. Wine with special qualities and potentially a great value depending on price.80-84— Good. Solid wine with above average character.75-79 – Average. Straightforward with little distinction beyond being soundly made.